Wenger watches on as Arsenal U21s are beaten by Liverpool

After a positive start to the season, things are just beginning to take a turn for the worse for Arsenal U21s, with a strong side suffering a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Liverpool at London Colney this afternoon. Having remained unbeaten for their first six matches of the campaign, the Gunners have now taken just one point out of a possible twelve from their last four games, with today’s defeat coming off the back of last week’s disappointing loss to Middlesbrough.

Coach Steve Gatting was able to call upon four members of the first-team squad for this fixture, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Carl Jenkinson, Emmanuel Frimpong and Gedion Zelalem all being named in the starting line-up. Jon Toral also came into the side, meaning that Kristoffer Olsson had to settle for a place on the bench, whilst Dan Crowley is expected to be out of action for at least two months as a consequence of the injury he suffered against Middlesbrough.

Second-string meetings between these two sides are usually high on quality, but it was Liverpool who provided the better demonstration of their ability in the early stages. Arsenal had taken the lead very early on against Middlesbrough, but suffered a taste of their own medicine on this occasion with Michael Ngoo rounding Matt Macey before finishing with the minimum of fuss with just four minutes on the clock.

Source: Clive Mason/Getty Images Europe

Arsenal responded with Benik Afobe doing well to find Thomas Eisfeld, but the German, usually so clinical in front of goal, could only direct his effort straight at Danny Ward.

Gatting’s side gradually began to garner some momentum, with Oxlade-Chamberlain impressing, and they eventually levelled when Jenkinson delivered a pinpoint cross from the right and Afobe, demonstrating a poacher’s instinct, connected with it to equalise and score his second goal in as many games.

Liverpool were back in front just four minutes later, however, with Kristoffer Peterson crossing from the right and Ngoo turning home his second goal of the game.

Chances continued to be carved out at both ends, with Frimpong striking a powerful free-kick straight into the wall before directing the re-bound just wide. Liverpool, though, would extend their advantage further before the interval, with Brad Smith, who recently featured in the Premier League against Chelsea, applying the finishing touch to a slick, counter-attacking move that the Arsenal defence failed to cope with.

Arsene Wenger was in attendance as the Frenchman considers his options for Friday’s FA Cup tie against Coventry City. Frimpong, who hasn’t featured for the first-team this season, certainly seemed determined to impress the manager and the midfielder did well to find Toral, who saw his effort blocked.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was then, as had been pre-planned, withdrawn after just over an hour, with Olsson entering the fray. The change did little to alter the course of the game, however, with Liverpool finding the net again shortly afterwards, with Peterson this time marauding forwards before beating Macey.

Frimpong still sought to reduce the arrears even though it appeared as if Arsenal’s chances of gaining something from this game had long since dissipated, with the 22 year old forcing a corner with a free-kick from distance. Frimpong again came close late on, before Hayden at least salvaged some pride when he scored his first goal at this level in the closing stages after good work from Toral.

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9 comments

Wow we put such a strong starting XI and we lost 4-2 at home. Who would have thought ?
Zelalem shouldn’t play as the number 10 because it doesn’t suit his style of play. He should be played as a deep-lying playmaker a la Pirlo,Xabi Alonso,etc.

What it says in the paper does not always show how he actually played. If he play deeper he might have more time on the ball but the other team can counter much easier because he is very weak in defending and holding of players. He run around as AM but of course he comes down deep to get the ball and things like that. Its not like he stay up there all the time.

In the Arsenal first team line up it says Cazorla play as AM but he comes down and get the ball and pass the ball around a lot like a deep playing midfielder too.

Jeorge, where has Ryo dissappered. He is not in the first team and nowhere to be seen in the reserve. Is he injured or what. The last time I saw him was when he posted a picture in the treatment room with Ramsey and Gibbs